The Run

(Pictures courtesy of Denise llanos dee)

Nestled between the towering mountain landscape is Banaue. At 1200 meters it is surrounded by spectacular and complex rice terraces. One of the most popular destinations in Northern Luzon is also touted as the "Eight Wonder of the World". Roughly 8-10 hours away from Manila, Banaue will be the starting point of the Pinoy Ultra Runners: Run For Your Life Marathon for the benefit of Kythe patients.

On February 9, 2007 the runners will negotiate hilly terrains and the cold and wet mountain winds of Banaue-Sagada. However the long and winding roads, the fresh air and the beautiful landscape will inspire and help the runners reach the finish line in Sagda. A tranquil town on top of the mountains, Sagada stands 1477 meters high. Its nature and cool mountain winds is unspoiled and an ideal setting for reflection and relaxation. A fitting finish line for the run.

The ultra marathon will most-likely begin at the area near Banaue Hotel in the early hours of the morning. The cold weather will definitely bother the runners as they climb the steep hill. According to the information provided to the team Banaue starting line all the way to Mt. Polis will be 20 kilometers uphill. Paved roads and dirt roads have to be negotiated. Headlamps, hydration packs and windbreaker jackets will be essential.

After reaching, the summit of Mt. Polis the team will replenish its hydration packs and energy gels while eating rice meals. Then the team will begin its run uphill and downhill towards the busy town of Bontoc which is roughly 30 kilometers away.

(Bontoc will be hmmm sort of half way point)

Reaching Bontoc the team will meet up with other UP Mountaineers and friends and will attack the last 12-15kilometer uphill trail run to Sagda. According to one of our runners the weather there is really cold and its been raining for quite a while, so the roads are slippery and muddy, a real challenge for the team. Banaue-Sagada run will provide an interesting and dramatic background for the team to raise funds for Kythe and its patients. Help change lives a kilometer at a time.

Banaue-Sagada: Run For Your Life 08

Banaue-Sagada Run

First Time

(Wow!!! Models!!! Thanks to Boy Siojo for the pictures)

Last Friday members of the Pinoy Ultra Runners had their pictorials at R.O.X (Recreational Outdoor Excahnge) in Bonifacio High street the Fort. It was a different experience and the team was not used to it. We were used to running together, planning our ultra marathon and usual gimmick but never a photo shoot! Hehehehehe. It was a lot of fun and it made the team look like a professional team with the uniforms and other stuff. But for the most part the team enjoyed this welcome break. We had fun going around R.O.X looking at the different equipment and trying on different gears for the pictorial!!! Sana amin na lang yung gear hehehehehe!!! Thanks to the staff of R.0.X as well as Dino, brand Manager of Columbia our photographer, Ken of The North Face for organizing and accommodating us, Roel Chan marketing Primer Group for all the support and help.

(R.O.X provided a great back ground for the pictures of the team. Before the Ultra Marathon, R.O.X will be displaying our pictures as well as information about our run and other activities like pact runs.)

(ROX is really huge!!! Three floors of outdoor equipment at reasonable prices. An amazing store that would cater to anyone who dreams to have adventure outdoors.)

(Nice uniforms!!! Dani, smile please!!!)

The Subic Marathon

Josaw, Pen, Me, Olive and Ige.

The Pinoy Ultra Runners decided to run the Subic Marathon as a training run. As always when we say training run members of the team will try to face off with other runners of the pact. The end result will be a standard racing marathon for most members. For some it will be a training run for the next ultra marathon. The team arrived Sunday morning sleeping during the 2-3 hour drive from manila courtesy of Boy Siojo. Accompanied by support Jan and Levi the team readies for another memorable run. The race was straight forward long challenging terrain but nice cool weather and scenic landscape. Beth and Olive were in the front doing a magnificent run, Jose and Josaw(her first marathon congrats) was in the middle and brining up the rear was Me and Pen(also her first marathon and longest run ever). It was straight forward training. One thing that caught my attention were the Kenyan’s my my!!! I saw them in the television but nothing will prepare you for the speed these guys can unleash. These Kenyans are very amazing, like gazelles being chased by lions in the Serengeti.

During the New Balance 25km last year I was introduced to Sir. Willy. A powerful runner, energetic, 50 something runner. He competed in the Clark Marathon last week and now he is doing another one here in Subic, amazing!!!! This was his 40th Marathon. Hmmm a future Ultra Runner? I think he said yes. hehehehe.

The Kenyans!!! They came out suddenly!!! A blistering pace which tore the field apart. Even the camera had a hard time capturing them. Wow!!!

Josaw and Jose. Consistent and strong and will be finishing their first ultra in several weeks. congrats on the marathon Josaw.

Me and Pen. Strong performance from this multi talented athlete, powered by determination and of course Levi as a support crew she was able to finish her first marathon and longest run ever. Ganda ng Jersey!!!

Beth and Olive, finishes the race a little over four hours, not bad. lack of sleep and nervousness hehehehe made it a little tricky for them. Olive will be biking next day!!! Hahahaha. Peace Olive.

The race was well organized, and we were really happy, the marshals and supports were well provisioned and it was a tough marathon course. For Pen and Josaw the hardest part was the last 5-7kms. And the most agonizing part of them all was the half loop run around the oval which seems like forever. The team finished with smiles and full of energy, but very hungry. Well we really need that energy, the next Run for Your life Marathon is a couple of weeks away. To all who joined the marathon congratulations and see you again in the starting line.

kythe

Kythe is a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides psycho-social care to children in hospitals, especially the chronically-ill and children with cancer. Kythe pioneered the Child Life Program in the Philippines. Trained Child Life professionals, along with Kythe volunteers, provide various services to children and families, which include education, preparation and distraction for medical procedures as well as therapeutic play activities inside and outside the hospital. Support programs for families, especially parents, are also made available. Kythe's aim is to provide support during the illness of a child, which is a most trying time in the family.

Kythe is currently affiliated with eight (8) government and charity hospitals around the country, namely:

• AFP Medical Center (AFPMC)
• National Children's Hospital (NCH)
• National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI)
• Philippino Orthopedic Center (POC)
• Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC)
• UST Charity Hospital (USTH)
• Davao Medical Center (DMC)
• Tarlac Provincial Hospital (TPH)

Kythe continues to work for more support so that more joy can be brought to more children and more hope can be felt by more families.

For more information about Kythe, call 376-3454 or visit their website at kythe

Weekend Wet Run

Saturday was a dreadful day for running. Despite the wet and cold weather Beth and Josaw decided to continue its training run on the roads leading to Sierra Madre resort. Popular for bikers with its steep hills and winding roads the girls powered on and try to complete a 20km route uphill and downhill. Both runners enjoyed the sights and cool weather. For the two runners the difficult part was not the uphill but the downhill portions since it pounded heavily on the runners knees. At the end of the day the two girls had a good training run, for a bigger challenge up ahead for the team.

(Eat and drink a must for any long runs)

(Beth and Josaw reaching the Cottages)